Retina-Vitreous
1995 , Vol 3 , Num 4
The Treatment Of Idiopathic Macular Hole With Pneumoretinopexy
Uludağ Üniv. Tıp Fak. Göz Hast. AD.
In this study, an alternative approach to classical combined vitrectomy and intraocular gas tamponede procedure for the treatment of idiopathic macular hole (IMH) is presented. Our aim was to create the necessary environment for reattaching the surrounding cuff by producing posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and to release the tangential and/or anteriorly oriented vitreous traction forces on the macula with intraocular gas tamponade without vitrectomy and thereby improving the central vision. Eight eyes of 7 patient with stage III macular hole underwent retinal tamponade with intraocular SF6 gas. We instructed patients to maintain strict occipit-up positioning for at least one week. The patients were followed for at 8 months (mean 10.6 months). None of the eyes had PVD preoperatively. We were able to produce PVD in all eyes postoperatively. Anatomic success was achieved in 7 of 8 eyes, we observed detachment of the surrounding cuff and visual acuity decreased to the preoperative level during the follow-up (mean 4.6 months). Two eyes the anatomic and visual success is still preserved. This preliminary study implicates the effectively of this simple method in only early postoperative period, but it appears that it's not effective in late phase, propably due to the persistent vitreous traction force on the macula, by cortical vitreous remnants. Therefore, we believe that vitrectomy seems to be essential to remove all vitreofoveal traction in these eyes.
Keywords :
Idiopathic Macular Hole, Pneumoretinopexy